A thief became a public punching bag after his attempted robbery was thwarted by a mob of villagers.

Enticed by a key left dangling in a motorbike’s ignition, the opportunistic 24-year-old decided to adopt the motorbike and ride off with it.

Alerted by the revving of the engine, the motorbike owner called for help, attracting the attention of a mob who walloped the sneaky suspect before hauling him away to the police station.

NOKORWAT